I walked in the door, dropped my computer bag and purse on the floor, then collapsed on the couch—or what was left of it. The last two weeks of work had been from hell. No, that was putting it mildly. Hell would have been a vacation.
The only bright spots had been the days I saw Cade. He came over several times, even after we finished the fence, to help me train Gunner—not that it helped. At least Cade made me laugh and forget my pathetic life for a while.
Kerri had announced that she was pregnant to everyone at work. Just when things had been dying down in the rumor mill, she stirred it up again. So, I’d dealt with a fresh wave of sympathy, whispered conversations, and pats on the back until I’d wanted to scream.
I’d responded by making a special trip to every great doughnut shop in a twenty-mile radius to bring in treats. Every time Kerri snuck into the break room to grab just one more, my evil heart warmed. I’d heard her whispering that she’d already put on fifteen pounds, and what some might consider a sick wave of glee washed over me. I should have felt guilt, but I couldn’t seem to summon the emotion.
As if that wasn’t enough, our boss announced he was re-locating to the main office in New York. He’d choose his replacement from our current team leads. Basically, either Mark would become my boss, or I’d become his. Most of the office figured Mark would get the promotion since he had two years of experience on me. I might be hunting for a new job. Working in the same office was one thing. No way could I handle taking orders from him.
Gunner jumped up and snuggled against my side.
“How did you get out?” I put my hands under his muzzle and looked into his sweet eyes. On top of everything, Gunner figured out how to open his kennel. I’d come home the last three days to him joyfully sitting in a fresh pile of feathers and ripped cushions from my new couch, happy as a pig in mud. I had no idea how he kept getting out of the kennel, but after being extra sure it was secure when I left and coming home to him free, I’d decided I needed to pick up a padlock.
He licked my chin, then leapt off me to go jingle the Christmas bells I’d hung from the back door—his way of telling me he needed to go outside. At least he never had accidents, which was amazing for a pup his age.
Forcing myself off the couch, I took him outside and shivered in the wintery wind. Next week was Thanksgiving. At least it was a short week at work. I glanced at the house. Mark and I had planned to host for our families in our new house. What a nightmare. I’d been hesitant about buying a house together before we were married, but he’d convinced me with prices rising and interest rates shooting up. Now I was stuck with a decision: sell and move, or buy him out, which would cost me three times the money that I’d put away in my savings.
The fresh scent of cedar washed over me and I considered the fence that Cade and I built. It surrounded the entire yard and gave Gunner room to run free. The fence was also the first project that I’d done on the house. When we’d bought it, Mark and I had talked about at least ten things we wanted to change. But when it came down to working on tile, or a new banister, it turned out he’d rather watch football.
That fence looks damn good. A sense of pride filled me along with a renewed determination to keep the place. I loved the neighborhood and the home, especially with my ideas of how to fix it up. I’d strung Christmas lights on the top of the fence and they switched on, casting a rainbow of colors in the fading evening light.
Gunner finished up and raced laps around the yard, seeming excited by the lights turning on.
“You goofy boy.” I laughed as he raced by and dropped a ball at my feet. I threw it for him and he dashed across the dry grass. My phone dinged in my pocket. Cade texted.
Shit! The first party was tonight. This was one of Mark’s and mine’s mutual friends.
I tossed the ball one more time for Gunner and mentally flipped through my wardrobe. Looking good wouldn’t cut it. I needed to look sexy-elf hot.
The bell rang at seven sharp. I brushed one last coat of mascara over my lashes, contemplating my reflection. It’s as good as it’s going to get.
I adjusted my strapless bra before I opened the door. Cade stood on the porch and Gunner rushed out to meet him. While he greeted the pup with enthusiastic pets, I took in a cleaned-up Cade. And took him in some more. I’d seen him in a dress shirt and slacks many times, even in a tux. But he was especially handsome tonight.
Tender wings of butterflies uncurled in my stomach and tickled my insides. I blinked at my reaction to the handsome man on my doorstep. But I’d known him nearly my whole life. And he’d always just been Cade.
I’m just happy he’ll make Mark jealous. The thought didn’t quite ring true even in my mind, but I brushed away the feeling.
“Ready to go drink eggnog and…” Cade’s voice fell away as his gaze settled on me.
I smoothed my hands over the sequined dress and tugged at the short hem. I’d bought it on a whim a couple years ago, but never had the nerve to wear the mini-dress. Not only did it show a lot of leg, I wasn’t used to displaying quite so much cleavage. “Is it too much? Maybe I should change.”
Cade blinked as Gunner took his cuff in his front teeth and tugged. “No!” Cade exclaimed. “I mean, you look amazing.” He pushed Gunner away, leaving two small holes in his sleeve from the puppy’s teeth.
“You’re sure?” I asked. “I don’t want to embarrass myself. Just show up Mark a bit.”
“You’re missing one thing.” He grabbed a Santa hat I’d tossed on the entryway table and settled it on my head, off to one side. “Now you’re perfect.”
“Sorry about your shirt.” I motioned to the small holes in the crisp fabric and walked to the kitchen to throw a treat in the kennel. “He’s started nibbling on my clothes whenever I get home.”
Cade considered Gunner as he bounded into the kennel and gobbled the treat. “Don’t worry about the shirt. But we’re going to have to break that habit. You ready to see Mark?”
I’d thought I was ready—even baking cookies to bring the host and buying a good bottle of wine. Now that the night was here, I wasn’t so sure. I swallowed bile and pasted a smile on my lips. “Let’s do this.”
The glare of the Christmas decorations guided us to the house from a block away.
Cade parked the car. “Looks like a reindeer barfed on a clearance sale at a blow-up factory.”
Blow-up characters covered every inch of the yard, and a good portion of the roof. Plus, lights galore were strung along the length of the house.
I loved every gaudy holiday-inspired inch of it. “It’s not that bad.”
He huffed.
“Don’t be a grinch,” I said as we walked to the front door and waited. This party was more like a minefield. Mark had been a groomsman at the host’s wedding while I’d been the Maid of Honor. And I’d caught the bouquet. That was how we’d met. Everything had seemed to fit so perfectly. Taking Cade’s hand in mine, I shoved the memory away.
Sasha, my friend from high school, opened the door and let out a squeal. “You came!”
I held out the wine topped with a bow, still holding a plate of cookies. “Happy holidays!”
“Thank you!” She took the bottle and waved us inside with a crinkled brow as she studied Cade. “I recognize you.”
“Sorry,” I apologized. “You remember Cade? He was a couple of years ahead of us in school.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s right.” She closed the door and sent me an OMG stare behind Cade’s back while she fanned her face. “I was worried you wouldn’t come.”
“You know how much Remi loves a good holiday party,” Cade put in, his gaze wandering over the five Christmas trees around the living room and the garland around the banister. “But I’m guessing you love the holidays as well.”
“Guilty,” Sasha said with a giggle that told me she’d started drinking early. “Mingle, there’s plenty of food and drinks. You can put the cookies on the table in the dining room.” She leaned to whisper in my ear. “And Mark showed up.”
I nodded. Of course he did. He wouldn’t miss a party. I pulled Cade through the crush of bodies. Jingle Bell Rock played over the din of voices. I waved to people I hadn’t seen in months, smiled, and maybe clung to Cade’s arm.
See, this won’t be so bad.
We found the table loaded with enough food to feed an army.
And Kerri.
That didn’t take long. She was loading up a plate with cookies and candy. Guess this pregnancy was giving her a sweet tooth for more than doughnuts.
I froze. Her dress was a loose fitting sleeveless that hung loose enough to hide her emerging baby bump. Guess she wasn’t ready to tell everyone.
“What’s wrong?” Cade asked so only I could hear.
I shook my head, then cleared my throat. “Nothing.” I shoved the plate on the table without bothering to make room and turned away. “Are you thirsty?” I tried for chipper, but my voice sounded as squeaky as an elf huffing helium.
His frown told me I wasn’t pulling off the cheerful vibe I was going for. “Whatever you want.”
I spun, ignoring Kerri’s wave of hello. Freaking really? She has nerve. I’ll give her that.
Two steps toward the kitchen and I stopped. Mark filled the space. The smile faded from his lips when his gaze settled on me, and my skin heated as he took in my short dress, his gaze moving slowly down my body from head to toe.
“Remi,” Mark said. “Hey, good to see you.” His gaze hovered over my chest.
“Um, yeah, I brought cookies.” I brought cookies? What am I? Five? Way to sound like a moron. I thought I wanted to get Mark’s attention, to show him what he’d let go, but now I felt naked.
Cade stepped from behind me, angling his body and wrapping his arm around my waist in a possessive gesture that broke Mark’s ogling of my cleavage. Cade didn’t smile. He didn’t offer his hand. He glared at Mark.
Kerri appeared beside Mark and plastered herself to his side like a barnacle. “We didn’t think you’d come, Remi.”
More like you were hoping I wouldn’t.
Cade spoke up. “And you are?”
“Kerri,” she bubbled. “Mark’s girlfriend.”
Cade’s grip on me tightened and he straightened to his full height.
The tension in the room seemed palpable. How was everyone else still chatting, singing, dancing? I wanted to fall through the floor. I should have warned Cade about Kerri. Now he’d know Mark cheated.
“We were getting some drinks if you’ll excuse us?” Cade said in a tone that barely scraped by as polite.
Mark stepped to block our exit. “Who are you, again?”
Cade leaned in, towering a good head over Mark, and practically growled. “Someone you don’t want to know.”
I barely heard the words, but the tone sent goosebumps erupting over my skin. Mark glowered, but stepped away.
“Come on, babe,” Cade said and led me toward the kitchen. “Let’s have some fun.”
Out of Mark’s sight, I slumped. This was harder than I’d thought. What was the point of coming to a party if it was pure torture? This whole idea was ridiculous, moronic, and stupid. “We should leave.”
Cade gave me a squeeze, then released me to pour a glass of wine and grab a beer from the containers of drinks. “And waste that dress? We’re going to dance.”
“I’m not sure if I’m up for dancing.” Inside, I felt weak, broken. Seeing Kerri and Mark at work was hard enough, but I wore my mask of indifference. This was a completely different story. “What’s the point?” I whispered. “I want to go home.”
Cade took my hand in his powerful grip and leaned down until I had to meet his gaze. “We always have fun together, remember?”
Half a smile crept over my lips. He pressed the wine into my hands, and I swallowed most of the glass. “Okay.”
He led me to the dance floor. Thankfully, I Gotta Feeling was playing now instead of a Christmas song, and Cade wrapped his free arm around me, pulling me in close to his body and moving to the beat. The feel of his warm body pressed against mine let me take a breath. I knew he’d catch me if I fell. He had me.
And we always did have fun together.
We danced through the rest of the song, and the next, an upbeat jam that had Cade headbanging to make me laugh. Then, Shake it Off came on.
“I love this song,” I shouted. The living room turned dance floor was getting crowded. Stepping back from Cade, I gave my shoulders a shake and lifted a brow at him.
Grinning widely, he took my hips in his large hands and matched my movements. He’d always been an excellent dancer, but I’d only ever been an observer. Couples gave us room and he spun me, then caught me easily, leading me from side to side, and as the song ended, he spun me out one more time, then snapped back to his chest.
Everyone clapped and I pressed my face to his shirt to catch my breath. Cade waved off the applause as a slow song started. I wrapped my arms around his neck and we swayed together.
“See,” he whispered. “Aren’t you glad you didn’t leave?”
I sighed, a warmth filling my chest that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“Look over to your left,” Cade whispered.
I opened my eyes and caught sight of Mark watching us with a most peculiar expression on his face—definitely not cheerful.
“Does that make you happy?” Cade asked.
To my surprise, it didn’t. I closed my eyes again and settled my head back on Cade’s chest. So comfortable, so safe. I couldn’t say the words that ran through my mind. They surprised me too much. But you make me happy.